Bouquet of Spring Salad

This will be the last snow photo from me for a while.. “Aaargh not another Bloody Bleak snow picture!!”

Yay! With only a one hour delay we made it through the Roger’s Pass (a snow-filled high point between Revelstoke and Golden, B.C.) and home, only to find (aside from those few gorgeous hefty dumps of snow in early December) that…

It’s Spring!

Let there be joyous chirpings of birds, vast gurgling of the river splashing its’ banks and the drip of Winter’s silvery icicles….

I know, I know… it’s only January 6th and winter has only just begun. But has it? With its’ constantly fluctuating warm Chinook weather, Calgary has been unseasonably warm this year. Um… this is bad, right? Shhhh I think it’s been awesome zipping around, unimpeded, with my new winter tires whining over dry pavement… no boots or winter coat to weigh me down…

All right then, I know this can’t be good, the geese are confused.. and so am I for that matter!

At least I now I know why I’ve organized my pantry, cleaning out closets and purging… It feels like it’s time to spring clean! Only I’ve had the ‘purge urge’ almost every other week this winter. Charities, no doubt, must be benefiting from the post-Christmas season influx of excess that has been displaced by gifts. I know I’m not the only one with Spring fever…

I’ve also eked out time to catch up on a few online projects..“Like”… my new Facebook page ♥.
I’d be thrilled if those of you on Facebook could join me over there by clicking to“Like” my new Facebook page ♥.
And I would be delighted to connect back and “Like” your page…
The link for my new page is here: JustaSmidgenOr click on the “Like” Facebook box to your right…
In the meantime…as my fearless orchestra conductor and artiste fabuleux Elisa wrote… “Putting Christmas away always makes me sad.” I find it curious how we all love to confer so much meaning on this one simple word… “Christmas”… and I can’t help but smile just imagining “the presents, the ribbons, the wrappings, the tags, the tinsel, the trimmings, the trappings… and, perhaps, even the roast beast” getting shoved into a cardboard box until next year.

But does all of Christmas have to be “put away”… even the “good stuff”?

Elisa had a wonderful solution.. she planned to buy a big bouquet of flowers to console herself. Brilliant! As you can see I’ve followed suit and adorned my home with a few spring flowers (I ♥ peonies!)

Out with the old and in with the new, I guess.. and “Christmas” gets packed away for another year…

…but with a silent vow to keep a little magic of Christmas in my life all year long.

In the spirit of, er Christmas, er.. Spring, well… how about friendship? This lovely little salad came from my wonderful friend Colleen. If you were ever fortunate enough to meet her, you would be inspired by her genuine, frank honesty, brilliant energy, enchanting smile, and inner grace!

Mix all dressing ingredients, except the poppy seeds, in a food processor or blender. Blend until dressing is creamy and smooth. Quickly mix in poppy seeds. If planning to keep the remaining dressing for a few days, don’t add the poppy seeds to the mixture that is to be refrigerated.

Rinse and dry romaine lettuce leaves and place in salad bowl. Add other ingredients. Pour some of the dressing on and toss just before serving.

The top image of the snowy mountain is so lovely. I feel serene and peaceful just looking at. What a good idea to buy a big bunch of flowers when the Christmas decorations come down . Your friend sounds like the very best type of friend to have and her salad looks good too. 😉 😉 😉ReplyCancel

After last Winter’s fury, maybe the weather gods are giving us a break this year — or just playing with us. Either way, I’m enjoying this! Your salad sounds wonderful and I love the use of the grated swiss.ReplyCancel

Hahaha, I like the way you think.. they must be toying with us and I’m happy to keep the snow up in the mountains where it belongs:) Thanks for adding me on Facebook! It’s fun to meet up on different sites, eh?ReplyCancel

Beautiful salad and oh so beautiful peonies. Have never seen them here in Spain so will have to content myself with your photos. It seems to be spring here too – all very confusing for the plants and animals!ReplyCancel

I didn’t know they were a local flower… but every region has their favorites. Peonies grow quite easily in the gardens here… but cost a fortune out of season at the florist. She gave me a smokin’ deal and I just had to have them:) Yes… the poor plants and animals? What must they think??ReplyCancel

That’s an excellent question, I think I always try to plant my garden after the May long weekend, but we can get a big snowstorm at any point in June… So?? I shouldn’t think this will last forever:)ReplyCancel

I might be wrong, but pretty sure I read somewhere not to keep them in?? Not sure why, perhaps you do? I think something happens to their texture would be my guess:) But perhaps one day wouldn’t make a difference?ReplyCancel

What a beautiful post… Photographs fascinated me so much… Have a wonderful romantic touches… You are amazing dear Barbara. And sure, the poem is another beautiful touches throught the poetical words… Then once again you fascinated me with your delicious and nice salad recipe and photographs… This is the beautiful world you created that I can stay forever in there… 🙂 Thank you, with my love, niaReplyCancel

I love your peonies!!!! They are one of my favorites as well. They remind me of playing with my grandma in the spring at her house. She loved peonies and had several bushes. She would let me pick them and arrange bouquets. Thank you for those memories this morning. And I know what you mean about the geese being confused – it’s more spring like here than winter. (Not that I’m complaining.) And I noticed yesterday that my daffodils are beginning to come up. I don’t think they realize it’s still January either. And of course the salad looks phenomenal! 🙂ReplyCancel

Smidge, happy to have you on facebook!
Lovely post! As for the peonies – I think my very favorite flower – there are times when absolutely nothing should stand in the way of plunking down big money for them. Amazing what a bouquet of peonies does for a room and for the spirits! Icy winter to fragrant spring!
As for the salad – which look delicious – I’ve counted twice and I’m 2 shy on the poppy seeds. What would you do? 🙂ReplyCancel

Thanks, Spree!! For all of your lovely comments… I laughed out loud, thank goodness for you and your sharp eyes.. I’ll change this back tomorrow, but think I should leave it there to see if anyone else notices!! Hilarious!ReplyCancel

The snow pictures are never dreary Smidge. Never.As a So. Cal. girl, I never, ever get to see beautiful snow capped mountains like THAT. This spring salad looks incredible. Cashews? I have not used them in a salad before. Bad, bad me. Because that sounds excellent. Love the combinations of fresh ingredients for a healthy start to our new year.ReplyCancel

Well.. it’s never too late, I hope you get the chance for a winter holiday one day.. go skiing, tobogganing, snowmen, snow angels… it’s so much fun! Cashew are one of my favorite in a salad, I hope you like them if you try!ReplyCancel

I’m just counting down the days until spring, too. It’s my favorite season – though here we generally have winter, then another fall, and then a short spring before summer. Love the peonies!! And the salad recipe. 🙂ReplyCancel

I just LOVE all of your photos of the classic mirrors and the flowers. I am in such aww of the classic white/cream mirror above. And this spring salad.. amazing. Love the recipe.. I just love salad any day of the weekReplyCancel